Morning journal and courier., 1887-07-12
A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

Party of New York Gentlemen Come
 Near Losing Their Lives on the
 Sound Their Yacht Catches Fire
 and They Toss About in a Yavvl
 For Three Hours - Rescued by a
 Schooner.
 During the heavy wind storm Sunday af- ternoon party of men had a very thrilling experience on the Sound and came near los ing their lives. They were Stephen A. Cooper, Charles c. A. Jones, A. F. Denyse and Harry F. Terhune, all prominent busi- ness men of New York, together with two
 others.
 The party was in the yacht Wave, about six miles southeast of New Haven light, when an explosion took place. It was heard in
 the forward part of the boat, and was quickly followed by three or four others in rapid
 succession. In few minutes, before the
 astonished yachtsmen could hardly realize
 what had happened, flames shot up from the
 deck. The men at once saw the terrible
 peril they were in and lost no time in getting
 into the yachts gig. MT. Jones decided that
 he could get back onto the yacht and save
 some articles of clothing and some valuables.
 He went back, but upon returning found his
 way blocked by the flames and was forced to
 crawl through one of the cabin windows. He
 saved considerable money and clothing, but he did it at the risk of his life.
 The wind was blowing the waves into white caps, and the gig was tossed about from one to another until it seemed as if it could withstand it's rough treatment but lit tie longer. The occupants had to keep con- tinuallv bailing out the water.
 For three hours the occupants bailed the gig and were tossed about. The water grew no calmer. It looked as though the boat would surely go to the bottom and that death was staring them in the face. But the schooner Lydia Christine, Captain Bergman, hove in sight; they saw the signals of dis tress, hastened to lend their assistance and soon had them aboard. The schooner then started for Belle dock and upon arriving there the yachtsmen procured a tug and went back to where they had last seen their yacht. The yacht which they had had so many a pleasant time in could be used no more, for it had been burned to the edge of the water and her hull only kept af1oat by the sails. They then came back and arrived at the New Haven House early yesterday morning. The wrecked yacht was about forty feet in length and was insured for $3,000. It was valued at $10,000.
 The cause of the first explosion was the bursting of the kerosene oil stove that was caused by the fire reaching the stock of gunpowder that was kept near the bow for the purpose of firing salutes.
 The total loss will not fall short of $12,. 900. The party had $1 ,000 in cash aboard and many valuables, which was all lost but 1 $200 for which MT. Jones went back and suc- ceeded in saving. The party left New York on Saturday for two months cruise and in- tended making New Haven their first stop ping place.
 MT. Cooper is a tailor doing business at 47 Broadway and resides at Tompkinsville, Staten Island. MT. Jones carries on chan. dlery business at 50 South street. Harry F. Tnrk,- Set k1oo Is,,o at No. Broadway, while MT. Denyse is 8 member of the firm of William Denyse & Sons of 13 Frankfort street and resides at sos Seventh street, Brooklyn.